Dynamically categorizing entity information

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of criteria includes a geographical limitation.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , further comprising: including, in the presentation, a link to a set of computer data about the entity, the set of computer data including information other than information provided at a World-Wide Web site corresponding to the World-Wide Web address.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4 , further comprising: presenting to the user of the search engine a listing of the entity together with the World-Wide Web address.

Claim 8

The method of claim 5 , further comprising: rejecting an entity that lacks a World-Wide Web site.

Claim 9

The method of claim 4 , wherein said determining an entity step includes rejecting an entity that does not meet a set of criteria comprising a part of the search request submitted by the user.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7 , wherein the set of criteria include geographical criteria.

Claim 11

A search engine system comprising: an acquirer that acquires from a user of the search engine system a set of criteria that defines a category of entities, the set of criteria comprising a part of a search request submitted by the user; an applicator that dynamically applies the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; a determiner that determines that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and an associater that associates the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation that identifies the entity and indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 12

A search engine system comprising: an acquirer that acquires from a user of the search engine system a set of criteria that defines a category of entities, the set of criteria comprising a part of a search request submitted by the user; an applicator that dynamically applies the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; a determiner that determines that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and an associater that associates the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation that identifies the entity and indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 13

A search engine system comprising: a maintainer that maintains a category file in the search engine system; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; a presenter that presents a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; an allower that allows a selection of a lowest level category of the hierarchy of categories by a user of the search engine, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; a determiner that determines, in response to the user's search request, an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category selected by the user of the search engine; a determiner that determines an entity that corresponds to the industry category code; and a determiner that determines a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.

Claim 14

A search engine system comprising: a maintainer that maintains a category file in the search engine system; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; a presenter that presents a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; an allower that allows a selection of a lowest level category of the hierarchy of categories by a user of the search engine, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; a determiner that determines, in response to the user's search request, an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category selected by the user of the search engine; a determiner that determines an entity that corresponds to the industry category code; and a determiner that determines a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.

Claim 15

Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a search engine computer system to cause the system to: acquire from a user of the search engine a search request, the search request including a set of criteria that defines a category of entities; dynamically apply the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; determine that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and associate the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation to a user of the search engine that identifies the entity and indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 16

Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a search engine computer system to cause the system to: acquire from a user of the search engine a search request, the search request including a set of criteria that defines a category of entities; dynamically apply the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; determine that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and associate the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation to a user of the search engine that identifies the entity and indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 17

Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a search engine computer system to cause the system to: maintain a category file in the search engine; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories, and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; present to a user of the search engine a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; allow the user to make a selection of a lowest level category of the categories, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; determine an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category; determine an entity that corresponding to the industry category code; and determine a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.

Claim 18

Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a search engine computer system to cause the system to: maintain a category file in the search engine; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories, and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; present to a user of the search engine a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; allow the user to make a selection of a lowest level category of the categories, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; determine an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category; determine an entity that corresponding to the industry category code; and determine a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.

Claim 19

A search engine system comprising: a computer; a storage device for storing data on a storage medium; a first logic system configured to acquire from a user of the search engine a search request, the search request including a set of criteria that defines a category of entities; a second logic system configured to dynamically apply the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; a third logic system configured to determine that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and a fourth logic system configured to associate the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation to a user of the search engine that identifies the entity indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 20

A search engine system comprising: a computer; a storage device for storing data on a storage medium; a first logic system configured to acquire from a user of the search engine a search request, the search request including a set of criteria that defines a category of entities; a second logic system configured to dynamically apply the set of criteria to identify an entity that meets the criteria; a third logic system configured to determine that the entity is registered as having control over at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address; and a fourth logic system configured to associate the at least a portion of a World-Wide Web address with the entity in a presentation to a user of the search engine that identifies the entity indicates that the entity belongs to the category of entities.

Claim 21

A search engine system comprising: a computer; a storage device for storing data on a storage medium; a first logic system configured to maintain a category file in the search engine system; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; a second logic system configured to present a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; a third logic system configured to allow a selection of a lowest level category of the hierarchy of categories by a user of the search engine, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; a fourth logic system configured to determine an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category selected by the user of the search engine; a fifth logic system configured to determine an entity that corresponds to the industry category code; and a six logic system configured to determine a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.

Claim 22

A search engine system comprising: a computer; a storage device for storing data on a storage medium; a first logic system configured to maintain a category file in the search engine system; the category file defining a hierarchy of categories having a top level of categories and at least one lower level of subcategories and defining industry category codes that correspond to the subcategories; a second logic system configured to present a top level view of categories that are ordered in accordance with the category file; a third logic system configured to allow a selection of a lowest level category of the hierarchy of categories by a user of the search engine, the selection of the lowest level category comprising at least part of a search request submitted by the user; a fourth logic system configured to determine an industry category code that corresponds to the lowest level category selected by the user of the search engine; a fifth logic system configured to determine an entity that corresponds to the industry category code; and a six logic system configured to determine a World-Wide Web address that corresponds to the entity.